Statement Regarding ALDF et. al. v. USDA et. al.
Contact: media@aldf.org
Regarding the case, Animal Legal Defense Fund et. al. v. USDA et. al., the Animal Legal Defense Fund is gratified that the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California held that the organization had standing to bring its suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding foie gras, a cruel and diseased duck liver product.
Specifically, the court recognized the ability of nonprofit organizations including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, whose work is impeded by the availability of this unnecessary luxury item, to sue in order to counter the government’s sanctioning of the product for human consumption.
However, the court did not set aside the USDA’s decision to reject the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s rulemaking petition regarding foie gras. Instead, the court held that the agency acted reasonably and its position towards foie gras should be afforded deference.
“The Animal Legal Defense Fund is disappointed in this outcome, and we are exploring our options going forward,” says Animal Legal Defense Fund Executive Director Stephen Wells. “We see no principled basis for the USDA to treat this diseased organ any differently than it treats other such dangerous products.”
Related
-
Animal Legal Defense Fund Applauds Court’s Ruling: California Foie Gras Ban is Constitutional
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California dismissed the industry’s constitutional challenge in its entirety, and forbade the plaintiffs from trying to renew those claims.January 15, 2020 News -
New York City Council Bans Sale of Foie Gras in Historic Vote
The Animal Legal Defense Fund applauds Speaker Corey Johnson and the NYC Council for voting to end the sale of foie gras. Intro 1378, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, now moves to Mayor de Blasio, who is expected to sign the bill into law.October 30, 2019 News -
Exposing Animal Abusers: Update on the Animal Welfare Blackout
In early 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) purged tens of thousands of important documents related to animal welfare from the agency’s website. The purged inspection reports documented violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).September 18, 2019 News
